Rebecca, momentarily stunned, quickly regained her composure and continued her haughty commands.
"This isn't the 1980s. You think anyone's buying that 'he's my relative' BS? Get real!"
Fighting through the searing pain, I struggled to my feet, meeting her gaze head-on.
"Back off now, and I'll let this slide. But if you keep this up, forget Leonard! You'll have the law to answer to!"
To my surprise, Rebecca's eyes bore into mine as she let out a shrill, maniacal laugh.
"Well, aren't you ballsy, you old hag? Lying through your teeth like that! You think we're all idiots? You're a 22-year-old senior! Where the hell did you get an 18-year-old nephew from?!"
Her words sent shockwaves through the crowd, igniting a frenzy of whispers and speculation.
"Right? Where'd she conjure up a nephew who's only four years younger? Talk about digging your own grave."
"Gross. Can someone expose her already? This is textbook 'the lady doth protest too much'. Nearly graduated and still chasing freshmen tail. Pathetic."
Seeing my silence as weakness, Rebecca lunged forward, delivering a vicious kick to my knee.
"Can't take the heat? Then stay out of the kitchen, you skank.